Air vent device for steam radiators



Feb. 27, 1962 Filed Des. 2, 1957 C. C. BITTNER AIR VENT DEVICE FOR STEAMRADIATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES C. BITTNER INVENTOR BY EM m ATTORNEYFeb. 27, 1962 c, c, rr N R 3,022,860

AIR VENT DEVICE FOR STEAM RADIATORS Filed Dec. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2o o I F|g.4 2o T \l I 5% r i way; u 3

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CHARLES C. BITTNER INVENTOR BY )y ATTORNEY 3,022,860 AIR VENT DEVHQE FURSTEAM RADIATGRfi Charles C. Bittner, 4122 N. Ashland Ave, Chicago, ill.Fiied Dec. 2, 1957, Ser. No. 7%,120 1 Claim. (ill. 183-41) Thisinvention relates to an air vent device for steam heating systems,preferably attached to steam radiators and steam return lines andconcerns itself primarily with means for releasing air from the systemand keeping the air out for maintaining proper circulation of the steamthru the system thru filtering means for separating foreign matter fromthe fluid entering the device and protecting the valve mechanism whichcontrols the air vent from harmful sludge and crystalloid deposits andagainst lack of proper performance.

More particularly, the invention concerns itself primarily with an airvent device for radiators in which a fine mesh filter is incorporatedfor filtering out all foreign matter such as sludge from the air andsteam entering the device from the radiator or heating system andcausing such foreign matter to be deposited in a sluge well in thebottom of the device for discharge back to the radiator or othersuitable place. Thus, the invention seeks to keep the vent valve andother parts of the device in proper functioning condition and free fromdirt and sludge.

At the present time, there are two types of air vent valves in use, oneis termed the open type which lets the air out of the system when theboiler generates steam and lets the air in when the steam condenses, butwhich does not operate efiiciently, especially under thermosta iccontrol using on and off firing. In the use of this type of valve, thesystem is loaded with air when the boiler sends forth steam and thesteam will not travel thru pipe lines as long as there is air to hold itback. So the air must first be ejected from the system by the force ofthe steam. This requires time since there is only a needle point openingin the vent and as a result, a throttling of the steam occurs.

The other type of air vent valve is the vacuum type which lets the airout during steam pressure, but does not let the air in when the steamcondenses. As now constructed, the vacuum valves must require muchhigher steam pressure and must be periodically removed to drain out thewater and dirt, otherwise they become clogged up with sludge,crystalloid deposits and water. Installations have been made with vacuumvalves where minutes later, the valves would get clogged up and sputterdirty water which would damage articles in the surrounding area.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the above noted objectionsin air vent devices in the provision of filtering means which protectthe vent valves from harmful foreign matter which clogs up the ventmechanisms with water and causes faulty action.

it is also an object of this invention to maintain the vent device in anendurabie condition to perform properly to obtain satisfactorycirculation of steam in one pipe steam systems.

it is a further object of this invention to apply the filtering means tovent devices controlled by either the open type of valve or the vacuumtype of valve or other types of valves.

It is also an object of this invention to prevent sludge, foreign matterand water from entering the vent and valve compartment and formingcrystalloid deposits on the valve mechanism such as the seating andoperating surfaces.

it is a further object of this invention to drain the sludge and waterand foreign matter from the vent device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means 3,922,360Patented Feh.-27, 1962 for presetting the vent for the desired rate ofairventing and sealing the same at the desired rate.

With these and other objects in view which will become more apparent asthe description proceeds, this invention comprises the novel structureand combinations of parts hereinafter described and more particularlypointed out and defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the preferred form of thisinvention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similarfeatures in the different views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an air vent device involving thisinvention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational View of the air vent device in disassembledform,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal view in section thru the air adapter section 2.having a threaded pipe nipple 3 which is adapted for connection to aradiator section 15. While the casing C is shown in two sections forconvenience of assembling the parts, it may be made in one piece ifdesired. The lower part of the casing C or the adapter 1 section 2 has asludge well 4A at the nipple 3. A plug in the bottom of the adaptersection 2 closes an outlet to drip any condensate that might creep upthe surface of the casing, into the well 4A. The vent section 1 has itslower end portion reduced and threaded as indicated at 12 for connectionto'the adapter section 2. The drip extension 7 is likewise of reduceddiameter. This reduced portion has an interior rib 11 which forms alateral support for a filter 5 which preferably consists of fine meshwire, but which may be made of any suitable filtering material.

The filter 5 is tubular and has its ends closed by similar fine meshwire pieces 6. The upper end of the filter is secured to the bottom partof a support member 9 which is frictionally held in the section 1 byflanges 9B, the filter 5 being held by downwardly directed flanges orclamps 10 on the support member 9. It will be noted that the rib 1?.also serves to space the filter from the wall of the section 1 of thecasing and the wall of the reduced portion spaces the filter from thewall of the section 2. Thus the filter is well exposed to incomingfluids such as air and steam which pass mainly thru apertures 9C in thesupport member 9.

The air vent section 1 houses a valve mechanism which in the presentinstance is shown as of the vacuum type, but which may be of any othersuitable type. This valve mechanism is designed for controlling the flowof air thru the air vent hole 13 and comprises a bellows B having itsupper end closed except for an air passage Bl extending thru the neckB2, with its lower end open. This lower end has an annular exteriorflange B3 which extends under the lower edge of section 1 or at thewelded juncture of the upper part '1 and the threaded portion 12. Itwill be noted that the neck B2 extends toward the spaaseo neckcontaining the vent hole 13 on casing section 1 for the'passage of airto and from the device. The upper part of the bellows is expansible asindicated at B4 while the lower portion B5 is rigid and anchored by theannular flange B3. Within the bellows B, there is a valve V which has anenlarged hollow portion V1 at its base which is seated upon the supportmember 9 between the upstanding flanges EA thereof (FIG. 5). Theenlarged portion V1 which is slightly spaced from the wall of thebellows for the passage of air and steam supports a needle valve V2which has a point V4 which extends into the neck B2 of the bellows forcontrolling the air passage B1. As the upper portion B4 of the bellowsexpands and contracts thru pressure, the needle valve will control theflow of air and steam thru the vents 13. The bellows and valveconstitute a valve mechanism that is well known in the art and forms nopart of this invention except in so far as it may co-operate therewith.

In E16. 4, the air vent device is shown connected to a radiator section15 shown partly in section. It will be noted that the nipple 3 isconnected to the radiator so that about /4 of an inch thereof protrudesbeyond the inner wall surface of the radiator in order to reduce theejection of condensate and foreign matter which may have accumulatedupon the Wall of the radiator. The plug 4 has been removed and a drainpipe 1 1 has been substituted therefor. This drain pipe 1.4 connects inunion with a short pipe 14A which connects with the radiator section 15below the nipple 3 for discharging sludge and condensate into theradiator as indicated at 17. Thus when in use, air and steam which maybe termed fluids, enter the device thru nipple 3 and pass thru filter 5where sludge and all foreign matter will filter out and fall into thewell 4A from where it will vdescend thru pipes 14 and 14A to theradiator or any suitable place. As a result, the vent valve will notbecome clogged up or function improperly and impair the circulation ofthe steam. From the filter, the clean air and steam will pass thru theapertures in the plate 9 and exert pressure against the valve V and alsopass between the wall of the bellows and the valve to the outlet 13.

FIG. 4 also shows the flow of fluid to the nipple 3 at 16 and the escapeof air thru air vent 1-3 by the arrow 18 along the side of the wire 19which extends thru the vent hole 13 and around portions of the radiatorwith its ends secured in a. lead seal 20. The diameter of the wire 19should be of a particular dimension to leave an escape for air thru thevent hole 13 in accordance with the desired rate of venting.Accordingly, the air venting thru the vent hole can be rated inaccordance with the diameter of the wire 19 which canbe changed asdesired by selecting wires of different diameters.

The supporting member for the valve and filter 5 is shownin FIG. 5 andconsists of the plate 9 provided with flanges 9B for securing to thewall of the casing thru a soldered bond. This plate 9 has upstandingflanges 9A which form a seat therebetween for the base of the floatvalve V and downwardly directed flanges for engaging the outer surfaceof the filter 5. The plate 9 is formed to allow venting air or fluid topass around it and thru the apertures 9C therein. From the foregoing, itwill be apparent that the filter protects the valve mechaism frombecoming clogged up by sludge or foreign matter and results in a properfunctioning of the valve mechanism.

It will now be appreciated that this invention will materially improvethe operation of steam systems using one pipe systems with vacuumvalves. And that it can also be used with the two pipe systems where itis applicable. The importance of the invention exists in maintainingproper circulation of steam and maintaining heat in steam radiators forlonger durations.

In addition, it should also be appreciated that this invention providesthe means for remedying defective steam heating systems now in use thatfail to function properly in that it prevents the clogging up of airvent valves and maintains steady and good circulation of steam. Further,it saves fuel which is an economical factor and reduces fuel dirt andmaintenance.

I am aware that many changes may be made and various details ofstructure may be modified without departing from the principles of thisinvention, so 1 do not propose limiting the patent granted otherwisethan necessitated by the appended claim.

lclaim: a

In an air vent device for steam radiators, a casing having an uppersection with an air vent adjacent the upper end of said section, valvemechanism in said casing for controlling said air vent, said uppersection having alower drip extension of reduced diameter, said dripextension having a port for preventing the Stratification of air and alower section removably attached to said upper section and extendingover said reduced drip extension, a screening filter attached withinsaid upper section and extending substantially two thirds of its lengthinto the lower section, a nipple extending from said lower sectionadapted for attachment to a radiator and means for draining sludge fromsaid lower section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS950,533 Hilliard Mar. 1, 1910 1,014,229 Kelsey Ian. 9, 1912 1,213,108Keynton Jan. 16, 1917 1,586,787 Dougherty June 1, 1926 1,637,158Ostrander July 26, 1927 1,767,056 Donnelly 2 June 24, 1930 1,847,068Campbell Mar. 1, 1932 2,161,316 Kettnich a. Dec. 7, 1937 2,385,584Barton et al. Sept. 25, 1945 2,600,219 Diederich June 10, 1952 2,669,320Shaw Feb. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,577 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1895

